Soft Vase Urn by Hella Jongerius

Hella Jongerius
Soft Vase Urn, 1993

The Soft Vase Hella Jongerius challenge conventional ideas about materiality and design.

First shown during Droog’s Plastics New Treat presentation at the 1996 Salone del Mobile in Milan, these rubber vessels sparked conversations by embracing softness and imperfection. Air bubbles, frays, and visible joints — typically seen as flaws — become defining features, celebrating the process rather than concealing it. Designer Hella Jongerius deliberately chose a classical vase form, reminiscent of ancient stone urns, to question the need for new shapes when this timeless design has served us for centuries. Each hand-cast vase is crafted from silicone rubber in a variety of colours, blending tradition with contemporary materials.

The 1996 presentation marked a moment for Droog, breaking away from the perception of being solely advocates of recycled materials and signalling a commitment to pushing the boundaries of design.

The Soft Urn is part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art collection.